GAles GAtes et al—the avant garde Brooklyn-based theatre company known for sprawling, highly visual theatreworks based on classic sources—will present a series of readings from its latest and largest project, The World: An Odyssey in Six or More Parts, March 3, 10 and 24.

The readings are all at 7 PM and held at GAles GAtes, 37 Main Street in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn.

Readings of new works by four of more playwrights will be presented each night. The project is part artwork, part theatre and is expected to evolve over many months and even years. It began with the 2002 exhibition of eight surreal model landscapes crafted by GAles GAles artistic director Michael Counts. Counts then invited 14 playwrights, including Mac Wellman and Ruth Margraff, to examine the models and create a text in response. The play would need to take place on one or more of the models and be loosely based on Homer's classic novel "The Odyssey." Counts also recruited various musicians and artists, asking them, too, to creatively react to the miniature worlds.

Said a GAles GAtes statement: "These diverse voices will combine to render a world made of many worlds that audiences will be able to explore as they chart their own odyssey through this multi-faceted work."

Counts will not direct any of the readings but hear the plays for the first time at the three evenings. Workshops are expected to follow in the months to come, culminated in a performance the Whitney Museum branch on 42nd Street. Admission is free. For more information call (718) 522-4596 or visit www.galegates.org